Ahead of the 2022/23 season, Joan Sicilia, head coach of newly promoted La Liga side Almeria has backed striker Sadiq Umar to cause problems for Spain’s elite clubs when the season begins.
The Nigeria international has become one of the most important players at the club in the last two seasons, playing a major role as Almeria secured promotion to the top division as champions of the Segunda Division after eight years of asking.
The 25-year-old’s impressive performance has drawn interests from several clubs in Europe, with Villarreal and Sevilla the most interested in the forward.
But Rubi is optimistic that the Spanish La Liga newcomers can keep hold of their talisman, who he backed to cause damage when the season resumes.
“Our dream as a staff would be for Sadiq to continue with the team in the First Division,” Rubi said at a news conference as per Diario de Almeria.
“Because I think his performance could be better than in the Second Division, simply because of a space issue, with the possibility of running, he will do a lot of damage.”
The 52-year-old however refused to rule out the possibility of losing his most prized asset.
“I think he (Sadiq) will be here (at Almeria),” Rubi added.
“And if in the end, he is not, it is because the club understands that the economic part is good enough to allocate that money to bring a footballer in that position.”
Almeria host champions Real Madrid in their first La Liga match of the season on August 14.
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